YouTube To Fund Original Programming For Kids And Families

Now that YouTube is back in the business of publicly writing checks to content creators for original programming, it’s actively expanding the content categories for which that original programming will be produced. First up is Family Entertainment and Learning.

A job posting was published to Google’s career listings on October 4, 2014 seeking a “Head of Family Entertainment and Learning”. The post was initially uncovered by Recode and is seemingly the first seeking an individual for employment in the recently-made-public YouTube Originals division.

Here’s the description of the gig:

The YouTube Originals team works directly with creators and partners on development, production and acquisition of select original programs, in categories from scripted comedy and drama to reality, first-person and unscripted, to family entertainment and learning. Projects may include series, specials and features from top creators and producers with a proven track record building fan bases and creating entertainment beloved by YouTube’s audience of one billion monthly unique viewers.

The Head of Family Entertainment & Learning will lead YouTube Original’s efforts in supporting the next great storytellers in filmed entertainment, from action to romance to horror, sci-fi and beyond, connecting deeply with millions of viewers worldwide.

And here are its responsibilities:

• Manage department development and production budget and staff to ensure strategic allotment of funds and appropriate allocation of financial resources between genres and format.
• Partner with business affairs, business development, marketing and public relations on all projects at various stages of the product lifecycle to ensure success of overall goals.
• Collaborate as a member of the YouTube Originals leadership team to reach overall business goals.
• Build creative and production strategy for growth of original family entertainment and learning programming. Actively participate in budget and forecasting process.
• Lead all efforts in conjunction with top creators to develop and produce family entertainment and learning programming, including research, casting, script development and production.

Google’s interest in creating programming for children (as well as the possibility of a more family friendly environment in which those children could consume that programming) became public knowledge back in May 2014. That’s when a report was published stating the world’s largest video sharing site was in touch with content creators to help populate a new video destination with content for kids under the age of 10 and without any of the “racier videos and comments” ubiquitous to YouTube.

It doesn’t look like Google is going to build a fully-fledged destination for kids who aren’t old enough to have a YouTube account just yet, but instead will look to put some of its new YouTube Originals cash towards content appealing to families with small children. After all, that kind of programming seems to do very well on the platform.

Photo of Kids React by The Fine Bros.